Heart Over Sword-Chapter 324: Vengeance tastes so Sweet (1)

In a distant corner of the world, within a region unfamiliar to the captivating man wandering through the streets, Killian leisurely walked along the paved cobblestone paths. He whistled to himself, ignoring the screeches of a Faceless creature as the villagers worked together with their pitchforks and an array of weapons to kill the monster. The vampire wasn’t sure what was happening and how those grotesque entities had escaped, but he knew his Queen and those in her circle would already be addressing the situation.

Killian, on the other hand, had no intention of helping humans and those in need. He followed Evanna, supported her, helped her mother, putting aside this boiling need, no this indescribable desire to crush those that deemed him and his kind worthy of genocide. As a ruler, he ensured his people didn’t disrupt the delicate balance of the ecosystem during his time as ruler.

Vampires were the ultimate predators, but as a diligent leader and one too lazy to seek more power, Killian affirmed everybody was happy with the deal struck between humans and vampires all those years ago. They were their food, and yet they didn’t kill them like nature wanted; they simply used them whenever they needed a drink.

The locals in the vicinity reluctantly agreed to their arrangement, sending fresh humans to them every few years. It stood as the most effective strategy Killian could devise. However, not everyone approved this arrangement, including some of his own kind. Some succumbed to their impulses, either slaying the humans they received or venturing to other villages to hunt, straying far from the kingdom. Killian didn’t intervene or bother to restrain them; if they were staked, it was because of their own doing.

Yet, this wasn’t the predicament that led to his entombment and the massacre of his entire clan. One of his subordinates angered a witch—a witch of all people. Despite the only one responsible for this offence being his subordinate, the witch’s family, revealed to be the most formidable witches one shouldn’t provoke, took it upon themselves to eradicate all vampires. Killian’s punishment was worse than death, though.

Killian had to suffer for all eternity, the horrors witnessed by the witches killing even those that were innocent. He had to remain in that tomb, forever thirsty, forever playing those scenes in his mind like an endless living nightmare. That was until he heard Evanna.

Now whistling down the street, hood covering his features, Killian followed one of his first leads about witches in the area. Times had indeed changed. Witches may have remained separate from the rest of society, much like the elves and fae separated from humans, but they were easily accessible. Now, it was hard to hear talk of or find witches.

It was only by following little bits and pieces of information gained by others, either by asking it, forcing it from their memories or threatening a few information guilds, that it led Killian to this almost barren-looking village. Now, all he had to do was lure them out of hiding. It was easy enough. He just had to act himself.

Killian was a little... thirsty. Whether these were the witches he was after didn’t matter to him; he just needed them to spread the news of his return. He played his part years ago; now, he was going to have a little fun.

"You," Killian pointed at a woman tossing murky water into the street. "Where can I find the Benetts?"

Benetts were renowned in this place, apparently. Killian couldn’t understand why. It didn’t look as though their lord looked after the place that well. His daughters, however, were meant to be ’healers’. White and dark witches weren’t supposed to get along, but it was now allegedly said that they would unite if ever they needed to.

Dark witches were the ones who wiped his clan out. That didn’t mean these ’Benett sisters’ weren’t who he was searching for. They could be portraying themselves as ’good’ witches, healing others so they could remain in this location.

"Manor on the ’ill," the woman said.

"Delightful." Killian continued whistling a light, joyful tune even after passing the woman and sinking his fangs into her throat swiftly. The scream on her lips cried almost instantly. Her terror-stricken eyes were wide as she dropped to the ground, blood trickling from the wounds in her neck.

Killian didn’t kill her; no, he needed to leave a few bodies behind, alive, rambling on about a beautiful monster. They needed to lead one of the sisters he’d already seen trying to help those who were injured from the Faceless to him and the manor at the top of the hill. He didn’t have any problem with these White witches, but if they were dark or caused him too many issues in his path to vengeance, then he’d kill them too.

After more bodies were left to show where this ’monster’ was heading, he greeted the butler at the door to the manor with a charming fanged smile, eyes glinting mischievously. The butler did not find it charming and tried to close the door on him in fear. The butler breathed heavily against the door as it slammed shut, and he swiftly clicked the lock in place.

"Yes, it is best that I am not disturbed," Killian purred behind him.

The butler jumped, turning on the spot, almost screaming from seeing the man covered in blood, tug down his hood to reveal the rest of his pale features. "Now... where is the man of the house?"

The butler fainted, dropping to the ground. Killian tilted his head to the side. "Is it all the blood?" He licked his lips and glanced down at his soaked shirt and coat. He wore black, so it shouldn’t be as telling. With a shrug, the vampire stepped over the butler, looking around the dark manor.

Lamps were lighting the hallways, but there were also windows with sunlight streaming through in some areas. Killian walked around the edges of the window-shaped sunlight as he perused through the manor, zipping past servants that might scream and alert others. At some point, that girl from the field will discover the bodies along the village. That girl will most likely be drained from using her healing powers once she arrives home.

In the meantime, Killian decided to make himself at home. "You," Killian called gently down the hallway to a chambermaid carrying some laundry.

"Eek!" In a blur, his hand clamped over her mouth as the basket of sheets dropped to the ground.

Killian’s gloved hand turned the maid’s head so her terror-stricken eyes met his ruby-red eyes. "Do not be frightened. I will not hurt you," he purred, his voice enchanting the chambermaid. "You won’t scream, will you?"

He watched as her eyes relaxed and almost grew dazed. She shook her head a little. "Good." He released his hand, watching her warily, worried his power didn’t work. "Now, what is your name?"

"Suzanne," she whispered in return. "But everyone calls me Suzie."

"Suzie." Killian stroked the side of her face. "That is a beautiful name. Can you do something for me, Suzie?"

Suzie stared up at the enchanting, beautiful man that, for some reason, even with the dried blood from his mouth and down his shirt and muscular chest, she was not afraid of him. She also wanted to do anything this man asked of her. Anything. "Yes," she breathed, feeling her cheeks heat from staring at him too long.

Killian smiled, revealing his fangs. "Draw me a bath, love? And keep this between us."

The source of this c𝐨ntent is freewe(b)nov𝒆l